BOSTON, May 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Smart home solutions continue to remain stagnant in the early adopter phase as providers are failing to convey a need for a connected lifestyle. Findings in a new report from the User Experience Strategies (UXS) service at Strategy Analytics "UXS Technology Planning Report: Smart Home Environment", investigating the needs, behaviors and expectations of future smart home users, show that marketing is essential to create consumer awareness and communicate how these solutions can address issues in the home and provide convenience. Consumers are hesitant to purchase more expensive 'smart' devices when the perceived value does not exceed the costs.

Smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home could be the Trojan horse in this predicament - bridging the gap between cost and value. "Smart speakers currently on the market are easily extendible, highly compatible, provide multiple use cases beyond the 'home,' provide hands-free control and offer a non-invasive, cheaper first time smart home purchase", commented Taryn Tulay, Senior Analyst and report author. "They can also be continually updated to include new devices and services."

Chris Schreiner, Director of Syndicated Research, UXIP added, "Education and awareness of how a connected lifestyle will improve the consumers' life is essential to drive adoption of the smart home, as is the continual education of what devices and services are compatible to encourage further adoption. Smart speakers provide a simple but valuable solution to promoting the tangible benefits of smart home solutions."